Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Richmond, VA
Relocating between Virginia Beach, VA and Richmond, VA is a 111 mi drive — 2h 22m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
111 mi · 2h 22m by car · VA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, US 60, VA 165 |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Virginia Beach | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 97.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 89.221 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 96.773 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 99.136 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 97.941 vs 97.858 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 0.1% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Virginia Beach +2.8%, Richmond +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Virginia Beach | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 29°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.4" | 8.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 45.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Virginia Beach (59.8°F) and Richmond (58.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Richmond averages 8.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OCEANA NAS, VA US, RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Virginia Beach | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 227,595 |
| Median household income | $90,685 | $62,671 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 26% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.23 |
Expect median household income to fall 0.1% — $90,685 → $62,671 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,810 | $43,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 61,000 | $36,060 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 58,830 | $43,620 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,620 | $78,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 50,860 | $30,140 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Virginia Beach to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 111 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Richmond more expensive than Virginia Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 0.1% lower than Virginia Beach (97.858 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Virginia Beach and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.9°F in Richmond vs 59.8°F in Virginia Beach (0.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 8.8 in vs 3.4 in. Annual precipitation: 45.5 in vs 46.6 in.
How does household income compare in Virginia Beach vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,671 in Richmond vs $90,685 in Virginia Beach — a 30.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Virginia Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,646 in Richmond vs $427,032 in Virginia Beach — a 13.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Richmond, VA from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance is 111 mi and the route typically takes 2h 22m via I 64 and US 60. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Virginia Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,470 in the Richmond MSA vs $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA, on total employment of 647,440 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Virginia Beach.
City profiles: Virginia Beach, VA · Richmond, VA.